The Bottom Line
"Just Want You To Know" is a wise return to the production work of Max Martin in the wake of disappointing sales for the Backstreet Boys' comeback album Never Gone. Max Martin, with collaborator Lukasz Gottwald, is coming off the success of Kelly Clarkson's 2 massive hit singles "Since U Been Gone," and "Behind These Hazel Eyes." It's a familiar, pleasing sound, but it may not be enough to turn the Backstreet Boys' sinking sales fortunes around.
- Classic Backstreet Boys singalong sound
- Easy midtempo beat sounds great on the radio
- The voices blend well as always
- Missing the punch of recent Martin - Gottwald productions
- May not be enough to recapture momentum
Description
- Pleasing mid-tempo bounce from master songwriting/production team Max Martin and Lukasz Gottwald
- Trademark Backstreet Boys vocal harmonies
- Engaging melody that encourages you to sing along
Guide Review - Just Want You To Know - Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys got off to a strong start with "Incomplete," the first single from Never Gone, their first album in over 4 years. The song quickly landed in the top 10 of the Billboard pop singles chart. Sales for the album, however, were disappointing. It debuted at an anemic #3 and after 6 weeks has nearly fallen out of the top 40 of the pop albums chart.
In an effort to regain momentum, the second single from the album is "Just Want You To Know," the song that is closest to classic Backstreet Boys sound on the album. It was written and produced by the team of Max Martin, responsible for a number of Backstreet Boys classics, and Lukasz Gottwald, a collaborator with Martin on Kelly Clarkson's hits "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes." The mid-tempo bounce is significantly more upbeat than "Incomplete" and sounds like a boy band.
The harmonies on "Just Want You To Know" are impeccable. It is easy to sing along and a pleasant listen. However, it remains an open question whether this single will really be strong enough to turn the group's current fortunes around.
